NEONATAL HEARING SCREENING

Early hearing detection and intervention programs have become the standard of hearing care in the first days after birth to ensure early identification of hearing loss and optimal outcomes for infants with hearing loss.

The prevalence of hearing loss in infants in the private sector is around 3 per 1000 births.

It is crucial that your baby’s hearing is screened as soon as possible after birth. These screening tests are available at most hospitals and are conducted as soon as 24 hours after birth.

Also important to note is that it is not routinely included in the assessments after birth and that parents should request it – or have it done as soon as discharged from hospital.

The test is a very quick and painless procedure, during this test a small soft probe is put into the ear canal of the infant and soft sounds are presented, the hearing organs responses are measured and recorded.

This test is best done in a quiet environment and babies can sleep during this procedure.

Early hearing detection and intervention programs have become the standard of hearing care in the first days after birth to ensure early identification of hearing loss and optimal outcomes for infants with hearing loss.

The prevalence of hearing loss in infants in the private sector is around 3 per 1000 births.

It is crucial that your baby’s hearing is screened as soon as possible after birth. These screening tests are available at most hospitals and are conducted as soon as 24 hours after birth.

Also important to note is that it is not routinely included in the assessments after birth and that parents should request it – or have it done as soon as discharged from hospital.

The test is a very quick and painless procedure, during this test a small soft probe is put into the ear canal of the infant and soft sounds are presented, the hearing organs responses are measured and recorded.

This test is best done in a quiet environment and babies can sleep during this procedure.